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Marketoonist | Tom Fishburne

Marketoonist is the thought bubble of Tom Fishburne. Marketing cartoons, content marketing with a sense of humor, keynote speaking.

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innovation catch-22

November 23, 2014

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Organizations often give mixed signals with innovation. There is a constant drumbeat to come up with the new ideas that will take a business forward. Yet, there is also resistance to change and pressure to maintain the status quo. It’s an innovation catch-22.

A few years ago, I attended an innovation brainstorm that rented out a room full of beanbag chairs to illustrate how unencumbered everyone should feel in coming up with ideas. Yet, to kick off the day, an executive stepped up to a podium to lecture about everything that was off the table, which turned out to be everything. It felt like a wet blanket, and created a disorienting message that we should be innovative, but not too innovative.

Beanbag chairs and squishy brainstorming toys aren’t enough to create a culture of innovation. We need to apply just as much creativity to what happens after the brainstorm as in the brainstorm itself.

(Marketoonist Monday: I’m giving away a signed print of this week’s cartoon. Just share an insightful comment to this week’s post by 5:00 PST on Monday. Thanks!)

Here’s another cartoon that I drew on this theme in 2011.

Filed Under: design + creativity, innovation

  • Paid licensing options include high resolution download.
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